Pruning barberryhas a very good effect on these shrubs, provided that the pruning is done correctly. Among barberry we distinguish species that shed leaves for winter and evergreen forms. Isbarberry pruningdifferent from the two groups? Learnhow to prune barberryin your garden, choose the best datewhen to prune barberryand learn allsecrets of trimming barberrythat will ensure he althy growth of these shrubs.
Trimming barberry
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Barberry are very valuable garden shrubs due to the color of their leaves, flowers and fruit, which can develop even in unfavorable habitat conditions. They grow best in full sun, then they also have the best color of leaves and fruits in autumn.
We can choose from many species and varieties of barberry with seasonal foliage, such as Ottawa, scarlet, Thunberg, Wilson barberry, and evergreen barberry, such as boxwood, Darwin, Juliana barberry and motley barberry. These species are armed with coniferous thorns that develop along the entire shoot. They remain on the plant long after the shoots have died, so be very carefultrimming barberryto avoid injuring yourself. It's best to get leather gloves against the thorns!
When to trim barberry?
Correctpruning barberrywill ensure the proper development of new shoots. The cuts are divided into barberry-forming cuts, which will thicken the bush for the first two years, as well as basic and rejuvenating cuts.
All barberry can be cut and shaped in the same way, only adjusting the cutting date. The bestbarberry pruning termevergreen is early summer. On the other hand, prune barberry with seasonal foliage in late spring or early summer, immediately after flowering.
In turn, a good time fortrimming a formed barberry hedgeis the period after the flowering of the bush and again in July-August. Use pruning shears to cut down shoots that are too long to create a hedge with an even width.
Trimming to form barberry
In the first year after planting a shrub with a root ball, cut the shoots to two-thirds of their length. Suchtrimming of barberrywill stimulate young plants to branch out and thicken. After planting, trim all weak or damaged growths as well.
Basic pruning of barberry
Regular annualpruning of barberryremoves old shoots, thereby enhancing the development of new, profusely flowering shoots. Such a cut is needed for all varieties of barberry. Plants with a purple or motley color will color better and more intensely.
After flowering,trim the stems of barberryto the level of a pair of strong he althy buds or lower to the young. The shrubs will not bear fruit in a given year, but such a treatment will extend the period of growth of the shoots, which will bloom profusely in the next year.
On mature shrubs, 1/4 - 1/5 of the old shoots are removed each year to allow light to enter the shrubs and make room for new growths.
Rejuvenating pruning of barberry
Barberry tends to form clumps of branches, inner branches often shed leaves and die due to lack of light. Plants only develop leaves on outer stems.Therefore, you should performrejuvenating barberrypruning to get rid of too thickened shoots inside the shrubs.
Best termfor barberry pruningin order to their rejuvenation is early summer. At that time, all dead or weak shoots should be removed. He althy shoots are trimmed to a height of 30 cm above ground level.
How to become confident in pruning plants?
If you are unsure how to cut or simply afraid to do it, the fantastic book "Cutting School" will help you. Thanks to it, you will gain confidence in pruning plants and learn to cut plants so that they grow according to your expectations. After reading this book, your approach to pruning plants will probably change completely!
